Eid Mubarak: Going to Hometown

Cirebon Travel Blog

Here are several things
that Indonesian Moslems usually do during Eid Mubarak. All of them
are only customs, not based on what Islam tells us to do.

MUDIK

In
Indonesia, during Lebaran (Eid Mubarak), most of Moslems use
that time to go to their hometown to visit their parents or family.
It is called mudik. The word mudik is from the word
udik means hometown. The price of all kinds of transportation
is more expensive during Lebaran season. Since about 5 years
ago, owning a motorcycle is easy in Indonesia.

Going hometown by motorcycle with a child and big bagages

It can be bought using
credit and the down payment is low. That's why many people use
motorcycles to go mudik. It is cheaper than using bus, train,
and of course air plane. It is more flexible, because they can stop
where ever and whenever they want or need. At their hometown, they
can use the motorcycles to visit their families. So, they don't have
to use public transportation. From a newspaper, I got the information
that it was about more than 2 million people went to their hometown
by motorcycle. It was 5 times from 5 years ago.

The people
that use motorcycles to go to their hometown are called pasukanninja (ninja troops). It is because they wear jackets (mostly
black), use helmets that cover their faces, and cover their faces
with scarfs to protect them from dust and sun. During the peak days,
they ride together just like troops. Many of them bring one or two
children and big bags. It is very not safe, but they take the risk
because it is very economical.

Even the journey is not
easy and needs sacrifice, such as very bad traffic jammed and costs
them some money, most of the people do it every year, including me.

Throw and grab the money

Celebrating Lebaran in hometown with big family is different.
I prefer not to celebrate Lebaran in Jakarta. It doesn't feel
like Lebaran. Even I have to spend more time in traveling to
my hometown. The time can be twice more than usual.

SAWERAN

Saweran is an
action where a person throw away some money to the air and several or
many people try to grab the money. Saweran is absolutely not
taught by Islam. It is only a local custom. I think it is from West
Java, because the ones do it are my sisters in law. My husband is
form Cirebon, West Java. I ever attended Sundanese wedding ceremony
twice where I saw the parents of the bride do saweran.

Saweran is not safe
because usually people focus on getting the money and do not care
about other people and their own safety.

Pray for the spirit

But, sometimes people do it
for fun. I personally do not agree with that action and never involve
in it. My husband and I prohibit our younger daughter but still let
the elder to join it. The amount was not satisfying. She only got Rp
27000 but she got the fun.

In other regions, the
elder people usually give some money to their children, nephews,
nieces, and other children who come to their houses. The amount
depends on their economical abilities. It can be Rp 1000, Rp 5000, Rp
10000 for each child. It can be more for their own families, such as
Rp 50000 or even more.

NYEKAR

Nyekar is going to
cemetery to pray for the spirit. The word nyekar is from the
word sekar means flower.

Sprinkle flower petals on graves

Usually, when we do nyekar, we
sprinkle petals of special flowers on the graves. We also pray for
the spirit. Indonesian people usually visit their parents'. graves
regularly in order to make sure that they are clean. Islam suggests
Moslems to visit cemetery in order to remind them that someday they
will be there too, not to pray. It is because we can pray for the
spirit anywhere. The best is pray at a mosque.

Usually, Indonesian
Moslems do nyekar before fasting month (Ramadhan) and during
Lebaran season. But, it is only a custom. Islam doesn't
mention that we have to do that during those specific times.

PICNIC

Many people use the time
to go to tourism spots with family or neighbors for picnic.

Using pick-up to go for picnic

for the
people who do not have private cars, to make the transportation cost
more economical, they often use pick-ups or trucks to bring them to
the tourism spots. It's not safe and comfortable of course, but I can
see that they enjoy it.

People go to zoo, beaches,
or other tourism spots. I'm not sure about the reason why people go
for picnic during Lebaran. Maybe, it is because all people are
on holiday so they can go together. Or, maybe because they have more
money so they want to spend it. In Indonesia, all employees get one
month salary for Lebaran.